5 Days Source of the Nile & Gorilla Safari

Our 5 Days Source of the Nile & Gorilla Safari is a combined safari. It combines gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and whitewater rafting at the Source of the Nile in Uganda. You can do this activity in the Eastern district of Jinja, Uganda. Jinja is popular for being the source of the River Nile – the Longest River on planet Earth.

The Safari then takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where you will have a chance to trek one of the habituated families of mountain gorillas. This trip can also start from Bwindi and end in Jinja.

Brief Itinerary of the 5 Days Source of the Nile & Gorilla Safari

Day One: Pick up from your Hotel and drive to Jinja to start your 5-day River Nile & Gorilla Safari.
Day Two: White water rafting experience on the Nile River and drive back to Kampala.
Day three: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Day Four: Gorilla trekking
Day Five: Drive back to Kampala/Entebbe International Airport marking the end of your Safari.

Detailed Itinerary of the 5 Days River Nile & Gorilla Safari

DAY 1: Arrival and Transfer to Kampala

Upon arrival, your driver-guide will meet you at Entebbe Airport who will transfer you to Kampala for your overnight stay. Depending on the traffic situation of the day, you may pass through the city. This allows you to have a brief city tour (not included in the cost and optional). Thereafter, proceed to your overnight accommodation property.

Dinner and Overnight: Sheraton Kampala Hotel/Fairway Hotel

DAY 2: Transfer to Jinja

After breakfast, you will drive to the Eastern town of Jinja for your magnificent Uganda adventure experience. This journey will take you through Mabira forest, a tropical rainforest in central Uganda. You will also see lush tea and sugarcane plantations plus several roadside markets. Thus, you’ll arrive at the arriving at the Source of the Nile in time for your full or half-day white water rafting adventure on the River Nile. You will then return to Kampala arriving in the evening for an overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Dinner and Overnight: Source of the Nile Hotel/Red Chilli Hideout

DAY 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Early departure to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Southwestern Uganda. You’ll have a stopover at the Equator crossing at Kayabwe for some informative talk. You’ll also do photography and some experiments before proceeding to Mbarara town in time for Lunch. After lunch, you will then drive through the rolling green hills with beautiful Banana and Tea plantations. You will arrive in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Dinner and Overnight: Buhoma Lodge/Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge

Drive time: 8-9 hours.

DAY 4: Gorilla Trekking.

After breakfast, the lodge staff will pack your lunch. Then, you will transfer to the Park Headquarters for registration at 7: 45 am. You will then join other trackers for a briefing about the Dos and Don’ts during your Gorilla Tracking. After that, you will drive to the starting point to trek the gorilla family that the rangers will have assigned to you. You will trek through thick creepers and undergrowth with your guides to find the Gorillas. This trek may take between 30 minutes to ¾ of the day, depending on where you will find the Mountain Gorillas.

The steep landscape has incredibly dense forests but is crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. It is an extraordinary feeling being with these beautiful yet Endangered Creatures. Please note that gorilla trekking can be strenuous and as such you need a certain level of fitness. Once you find the gorillas, rangers will allow you to spend one hour to observe them and take photographs. Although this time may seem too short, the experience you get is worth it. Thereafter, you will return to the park headquarters where you will be awarded a certificate. This is in recognition of your effort in contributing to the conservation of these endangered mountain gorillas.

Note: Even if you are unfit, arrangements can be made for the locals to use a ‘manual helicopter’ to get you to the point where the gorillas are. This cost is not included. So, you can let us know in advance and then we make the necessary arrangements.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Dinner and Overnight: Buhoma Lodge/Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge